The Symbol Game

Introduction

The Symbol Game (Gua Yi 卦弈) is a board game using the symbols of the Yijing as the tokens of play. It borrows elements of the Chinese game of Wei Qi 圍棋 (better known in the West by its Japanese name Go) and the board game Quarto. And, of course, Herman Hesse's description of the Glass Bead Game is also a big conceptual influence.

The Symbol Game can be played as solitaire, or as a multi player game, with the software allowing up to four people to collaborate. Although there is a points system, the emphasis of the game should be on the narratives developed by the players as they place the symbols into play.